Fire Officials Announce 2013 Fire Season

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Tule River Reservation Fire Department and Kern County Fire Department (KCFD) will announce an “Interagency Declaration for the 2013 Wildland Fire Season" at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, April 29, 2013.

Fire officials, representing all agencies, will make the announcement at the press conference to be held at Olive Drive Fire Training Facility, located at 5642 Victor Street, Bakersfield, CA.

The declaration will cover all lands within the following jurisdictions:

Forest lands managed by the Sequoia National Forest located in Fresno, Tulare and Kern counties and will include the Giant Sequoia National Monument;

public lands managed by the BLM Bakersfield Field Office throughout Tulare, Fresno, Kings, Kern, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura counties;

public and private land under the direct protection of the Kern County Fire Department;"and Land within the boundaries of the Tule River Indian Reservation located in Tulare County.

Fire season officially begins when seasonal firefighting equipment and personnel are in place, prepared, and ready to respond.

Homeowners living in the Wildland Urban Interface are reminded to complete their defensible space by clearing hazardous dry vegetation away from their homes, outbuildings and property. State law requires property owners to clear a minimum of 100 feet from any structure. Property clearance for fuels reduction work must be completed by June 15.

If you plan on visiting the Sequoia National Forest or BLM lands, visitors must have a California campfire permit in their possession for the use of wood fires, charcoal barbecues, and portable gas stoves using gas, jellied petroleum, or pressurized liquid fuel. These permits are free and can be obtained from any Forest Service, BLM or California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection office.

With the potential for a hot and dry summer ahead, fire officials urge the public to "Please Be Fire Safe," when visiting our forests and public lands. Communities need to be prepared!! Wildfires can be damaging. It’s a clear choice, "Be Fire Wise!!!"